What is a USB memory stick?

A memory stick is a small device about the size of thumb which can hold a huge amount of digital information, such as a complete audio book. They are also referred to as thumb drives or pen drives. They plug into a player or computer.

To play your Calibre books using a memory stick you will need a Kings Audio Sonic or Sovereign player, Boombox Plus or another suitable player, some of which are being used by local talking newspapers. Calibre stocks the three players previously mentioned. Please see our MP3 Players available from Calibre information sheet for more details. These players can all be bought from our online shop. For further information and details of players available elsewhere we suggest you read ourGuide to Other MP3 players leaflet.

"Memory sticks are much easier to use than the cassettes and offer a better sound quality" says Sue Rogers from Bucks

What is an MP3 disk?

MP3 disks look exactly like ordinary CDs, but the sound has been recorded in such a way that each disk can carry more than 16 hours of recording. All but the longest Calibre books will therefore fit on one disk.

This system is popular for music and commercial audio book publishers are also using it.

What to play MP3 disks on

If you want to try MP3 disks you will need a suitable player. MP3 is an ordinary commercially-available system so you can play the disks on:

How to choose an MP3 disk player

An ipod is a completely different type of MP3 player, often referred to as an Ipod which is designed for downloading material from the internet. This type of player will not play MP3 disks. Shop staff (or your family!) may assume this is the type of player you want - you need to make it clear that you want an MP3 disc player.

Advice about products and suppliers is given in good faith but please read our disclaimer.

"I found the MP3 disks very easy to use and especially appreciated having books on one disk. The sound quality is brilliant and the disks are much more compact than cassettes so they save space too."
Hazel Darvell, Devon

Streaming

Streaming is a service where Calibre audio books are delivered to you live as you listen, using the internet (as opposed to downloads where the complete book is delivered before you start listening). Calibre members can listen to them on internet enabled devices which include computers and of course smart mobile phones. This is a very exciting new service launched at the end of 2012. It offers:

- instant access to all of our digital books (almost 10,000 titles)
- no waiting for the post and
- complete mobility to listen to the book anywhere, at any time, using your internet enabled smart phone.

Calibre's streaming was developed in partnership with ipadio www.ipadio.com/corporate. The project was fully funded by grants including major contributions from Big Lottery Fund, The Rothschild Foundation, The Garfield Weston Foundation and the Beatrice Laing Trust.

Our library catalogue includes a sample audio clip for all books. Anyone can listen to the audio sample - you do not have to be a member.

The streaming service is provided completely free of charge to existing Calibre members. Members will see an "online booklist" facility where they can add books they wish to listen to via streaming.

We are delighted to welcome new members to Calibre who wish to use our streaming service. Our normal criteria for membership apply as Calibre is a charity operating under copyright licence for the benefit of people unable to read print. as a result of visual impairment, dyslexia or another disability. A single payment £35 joining fee applies for new adult members (£20 for under 16's joining our Young Calibre library).

Streaming is only available within the European Union.

Members wishing to stream should check their existing broadband or mobile service agreements to ensure they allow high or unlimited data. Calibre cannot be responsible for any costs incurred for streaming delivery and we do not recommend streaming on "pay as you go" type contracts.

Getting started with digital audio

Contact us on 01296 432 339 for our information CD.

Currently we have over 8,500 books in this format, chosen from the most popular books in our library. We are adding new ones all the time. You can find out what we have available using the online catalogue.

This allows you to search for books in the format you prefer. The catalogue entry states whether it is available in digital format.

Why we introduced books in a digital format?

We provide digital formats because of the many advantages they bring for our members. We introduced the service in July 2006 after five years of careful research and testing with members to find the best option available.

We also introduced the digital service because we knew the days of the cassette were numbered.